Patient Specific Knee Alignment Guide And Associated Method

ABSTRACT

An orthopedic apparatus including a patient-specific alignment guide attachable to a surface of a bone being prepared for receiving a prosthetic implant. The guide includes at least first and second components and a coupling mechanism connecting the first and second components to one another. The first component has a first bone engagement surface and the second component has a second bone engagement surface, the first and second bone engagement surfaces anatomically matching corresponding first and second portions of the surface of the bone. At least one of the first and second components defines at least one alignment formation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/756,057, filed on May 31, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/812,694, filed on Jun. 9, 2006.

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/971,390, filed on Jan. 9, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/363,548, filed on Feb. 27, 2006.

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/025,414, filed on Feb. 4, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/953,637, filed on Aug. 2, 2007.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/953,620, filed on Aug. 2, 2007.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/947,813, filed on Jul. 3, 2007.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/911,297, filed on Apr. 12,2007.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/892,349, filed on Mar. 1, 2007.

The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Proper alignment of prosthetic components in knee arthroplasty is an important factor in the longevity and function of the implant. Misalignment can cause increased wear of the implant, patient discomfort, and functional limitation.

Although various methods and devices are known for addressing the above problems, patient specific alignment methods and alignment guides are still desirable.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present teachings provide an orthopedic apparatus including a patient-specific alignment guide attachable to a surface of a bone being prepared for receiving a prosthetic implant. The alignment guide can include at least first and second components, the first component having a first three-dimensional bone engagement surface and the second component having a second three-dimensional bone engagement surface. The first and second bone engagement surfaces can anatomically match corresponding first and second portions of the surface of the bone. At least one of the first and second components can define at least one alignment formation. The alignment formation can define a guiding bore. The device includes a coupling mechanism connecting the first and second components to one another. The coupling mechanism can be a snap-fit or interlocking mechanism allowing complete separation of the first and second components. The coupling mechanism can alternatively be a hinge allowing relative rotation between the first and second components.

In another aspect, the patient-specific alignment guide can include a first component, a second component and a coupling mechanism interconnecting the first and second components. The first component can have a first surface that is custom designed to conform to a patient's first anatomical portion in three dimensions and having an alignment formation referencing a first axis. The second component can be coupled to the first component and can have a second surface designed to conform to a second anatomical portion of the patient to secure the first surface to the first anatomical portion and having an alignment formation referencing a second axis.

The present teachings also provide a patient positioner that includes a first outer surface shaped to support a portion of a patient's anatomy in a location and orientation determined for image scanning of the portion of the patient's anatomy, and at least one marker visible in image scanning, the image marker integrated with the positioner.

The present teachings provide an orthopedic apparatus that includes a patient-specific alignment guide, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the alignment guide, the adjustment mechanism providing intra-operative rotational and translational adjustments for a drill guide.

The present teachings provide a method for balancing soft tissue in knee surgery. The method includes attaching a patient-specific alignment guide to a joint surface, tensioning the soft tissue in flexion and/or extension, and balancing the soft tissue relative to the patient-specific alignment guide. Intra-operatively determining the center of the femoral head and balancing relative to the mechanical axis are excluded from the method.

The present teachings also provide a manufacturing assemblage that includes a first patient specific alignment guide, a second patient specific alignment guide, and a connection arm coupled to the first alignment guide at a first connection end and to the second alignment guide at a second connection end. The connection arm retains together the first and second alignment guides, and includes frangible features.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of preparing patient specific alignment guides according to the present teachings;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an alignment method according to the present teachings;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the mechanical axis in a patient's anatomic image;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the transepicondylar and cylindrical axes in a patient's anatomic image;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the mechanical and anatomic axes in a patient's femoral image;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of using patient specific alignment guides according to the present teachings;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary image of a patient's anatomy with implants shown, as viewed in interactive software according to the present teachings;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary femoral alignment guide according to the present teachings, shown next to a corresponding anatomic femur;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 8 shown mounted on the femur;

FIG. 9C is an environmental perspective view of alignment guide according to the present teachings, the alignment guide shown mounted on a femur;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 8 shown with spring pins securing the alignment guide to the femur;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 8 shown with a drill guide;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 11A shown with two guide pins drilled through the drill guide;

FIGS. 11C is perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 11B showing the removal of the drill guide;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 11C shown after the removal of the drill guide;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 12A shown after the removal of the spring pins;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of FIG. 12B illustrating the guide pins after the removal of the femoral alignment guide;

FIG. 13B illustrated a detail of the femoral alignment guide of FIG. 12B;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of distal femoral cutting block shown over two pins on a patient's femur, according to the present teachings;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of distal femoral cutting block shown over two guide pins on a patient's femur, according to the present teachings;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an exemplary 4-in-1 cutting block positioned on the femur with reference to holes corresponding to the spring pins;

FIG. 15B a perspective view of the cutting block of FIG. 15A shown with a cutting blade;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a tibial alignment guide according to the present teachings, shown mounted on the tibia;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the tibial alignment guide of FIG. 16A shown with a drill guide;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the tibial alignment guide of FIG. 16A shown with a drill guide;

FIG. 16C is a perspective view of FIG. 16B illustrating the guide pins after the removal of the tibial alignment guide;

FIG. 16C is a perspective view of FIG. 16C illustrating a tibial cutting guide mounted on the guide pins;

FIG. 17 is an environmental view illustrating a patient positioner according to the present teachings;

FIG. 18 is an environmental view of a patient-specific guide according to the present teachings;

FIG. 19 is an environmental view of a patient-specific guide according to the present teachings; and

FIG. 20 is an environmental view of a patient-specific guide according to the present teachings;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an exemplary alignment guide according to the present teachings shown on a joint surface;

FIG. 21A is an environmental view of an exemplary alignment guide according to the present teachings shown on a joint surface assembled with a drill guide;

FIG. 21B is an exploded view of the alignment guide and drill guide of FIG. 21A;

FIG. 21C illustrates three different exemplary arrangements of a drill guide for the alignment guide of FIG. 21A, each shown in side view;

FIG. 22A is an environmental view of an exemplary alignment guide according to the present teachings shown on a joint surface assembled with a drill guide;

FIG. 22B is a partially cutout detail of a perspective view of an exemplary alignment guide according to the present teachings shown on a joint surface assembled with a drill guide;

FIG. 23A is a perspective view of the drill guide of FIG. 3B shown in a first configuration;

FIG. 23B is a perspective view of the drill guide of FIG. 23A shown in a second configuration;

FIG. 23C is a perspective view of the drill guide of FIG. 23B shown in a third configuration;

FIG. 24 illustrates a method for preparing patient-specific alignment guides;

FIG. 25 illustrates a method for balancing soft tissue in knee surgery;

FIG. 26 is an environmental view of patient-specific alignment guides according to the present teachings; and

FIG. 27 is an environmental view of a balancing tensor shown in flexion;

FIG. 28 is an environmental view of the balancing tensor of FIG. 27 shown in extension; and

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an assemblage of interconnected patient-specific alignment guides.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present teachings, applications, or uses. For example, although the present teachings are illustrated for alignment guides in knee surgery, the present teachings can be used for other guides, templates, jigs, drills, rasps or other instruments used in various orthopedic procedures.

The present teachings provide a method for preparing patient-specific alignment guides for use in orthopedic surgery for a joint, such as, for example, the knee joint. Conventional, not patient-specific, prosthesis components available in different sizes can be used with the alignment guides, although patient-specific femoral and tibial prosthesis components prepared with computer-assisted image methods can also be used. Computer modeling for obtaining three dimensional images of the patient's anatomy, such as a patient's joint, for example, the patient-specific prosthesis components, when used, and the alignment guides and templates can be provided by various CAD programs and/or software available from various vendors or developers, such as, for example, from Materialise USA, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Referring to FIG. 1, an MRI scan or a series of CT scans of the entire leg of the joint to be reconstructed, including hip and ankle, as shown in FIG. 3, can be performed at a medical facility or doctor's office, at aspect 10. In some cases, the scan may be performed with the patient wearing an unloader brace to stress the ligaments. The scan data obtained can be sent to a manufacturer, at aspect 20. The scan data can be used to construct a three-dimensional image of the joint and provide an initial implant fitting and alignment in a computer file form or other computer representation. The initial implant fitting and alignment can be obtained using an alignment method, such as the alignment method illustrated in FIG. 2 and described below. Other alignment methods can also be used, such as alignment protocols used by individual surgeons.

As discussed above, in the preoperative planning stage of a surgical procedure, multiple image scans of portions of the patient's anatomy related to the procedure are obtained. The patient's anatomy is placed on a positioner for obtaining the appropriate location and orientation for imaging. Patient positioners are available in various shapes and sizes appropriate for the particular portion of the anatomy that needs to be supported in a specific orientation. Several scans can be obtained. Conventionally, image marker visible in the MRI scan can be placed on the patient's anatomy to allow image scaling and orientation. The obtained scans of the desired anatomy can be correlated to one another to reconstruct an image of the patient's specific anatomy in three-dimensions. The present teachings provide a patient positioner that includes image markers and eliminates the need to place image markers on the patient.

Referring to FIG. 17, an exemplary positioner 800 is illustrated in connection with imaging of a patient's knee 83. The positioner 800 has a first outer surface 802 which is shaped to position and orient at least a portion of the patient's leg and the knee 83 in a particular configuration. It will be appreciated that for imaging of other joints or portions of the patient's anatomy, the first surface 802 is configured to conform and support the corresponding portions of the patient. The positioner 800 can be made of appropriate materials for providing support and can include cushioning at least over the first surface 802 that comes in contact with the patient. The positioner 800 can also be made of materials that are MRI or image invisible, either in whole or in part, such as on the portions that are in proximity of the patient's anatomy to avoid interference with imaging.

The positioner 800 can include one or more image markers 804 that are MRI or image visible, such that the markers are visible in the images of the patient's anatomy and assist in identification and image orientation. When multiple image scans of large portions of the patient's anatomy are obtained, the markers 804 can be used to combine the multiple scans in an integrated image of a larger portion of the anatomy. Placing the image markers 804 on the positioner 800 rather than on the patient can provide better accuracy and consistency for imaging, and can also simplify the patient preparation procedure. The image markers 804 can be placed on a second outer surface 808 of the positioner 800 or can be embedded in the interior 810 of the positioner.

The positioner 800 can include one or more fasteners 806, such as straps or other devices for holding the patient's leg or other anatomy portion in the desired position for imaging.

The outcome of the initial fitting is an initial surgical plan that can be printed or provided in electronic form with corresponding viewing software. The initial surgical plan can be surgeon-specific, when using surgeon-specific alignment protocols. The initial surgical plan, in a computer file form associated with interactive software, can be sent to the surgeon, or other medical practitioner, for review, at 30. The surgeon can incrementally manipulate the position of images of implant components 502, 504 in an interactive image form 500 of the joint, as illustrated in FIG. 7. After the surgeon modifies and/or approves the surgical plan, the surgeon can send the final, approved plan to the manufacturer, at 40.

Various methods of sending the initial and final surgeon-approved surgical plans can be used. The surgical plans can be, for example, transferred to an electronic storage medium, such as CD, DVD, flash memory, which can then be mailed using regular posting methods. Alternatively, the surgical plan can be e-mailed in electronic form or transmitted through the internet or other web-based service, without the use of a storage medium.

After the surgical plan is approved by the surgeon, patient-specific alignment guides for the femur and tibia can be developed using a CAD program or other imaging software, such as the software provided by Materialise, for example, according to the surgical plan, at 50. Computer instructions of tool paths for machining the patient-specific alignment guides can be generated and stored in a tool path data file, at 60. The tool path can be provided as input to a CNC mill or other automated machining system, and the alignment guides can be machined from polymer, ceramic, metal or other suitable material, and sterilized, at 70. The sterilized alignment guides can be shipped to the surgeon or medical facility, at 75 for use during the surgical procedure.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary method for providing the initial implant fitting and alignment is illustrated. The method can be modified or completely replaced according to a surgeon-specific alignment protocol. After the scan data is converted to three dimensional images of the patient anatomy from hip to ankle, images of the tibial and femoral components can be manipulated for obtaining patient-specific alignment by making use of the femoral and tibial mechanical axes 402, 404, illustrated in FIG. 3, and the transepicondylar and cylindrical axes 406, 408, illustrated in FIG. 4. Images of the knee joint anatomy can include images of the joint surfaces of the distal femur and proximal tibial with or without the associated soft tissues, such as articular cartilage, on the respective bone surfaces.

Generally, the femoral mechanical axis is defined as the line joining the center of the femoral head and the center of the intercondylar notch. The femoral anatomic axis is defined as the line along the center of the femoral shaft. The tibial mechanical axis is the line joining the center of the tibial plateau to the center of the tibial plafond or the center of the distal end of the tibia. The tibial anatomic axis is the line along the center of the tibial shaft. The transepicondylar axis is the line connecting the most prominent points of the epicondyles. The cylindrical axis is the line connecting the centers of the condyles when the condyles are approximated by coaxial cylinders. A detailed discussion of the various joint-related axes and the relation of the transepicondylar axis 406 and cylindrical axis 408 is provided in Eckhoff et al, Three-Dimensional Mechanics, Kinematics, and Morphology of the Knee Viewed in Virtual Reality, J Bone Joint Surg Am. 87:71-80, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The relation of the femoral mechanical axis 402 to the anatomic axis 410 for the femur is illustrated in FIG. 5. The femoral and tibial mechanical axes 402, 404 may or may not coincide, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the following discussion, reference is made to a single mechanical axis 401 encompassing the femoral and tibial mechanical axes 402, 404. The alignment procedure illustrated in FIG. 2 makes use of the mechanical, anatomic, transepicondylar and cylindrical axes in various degrees. The present teachings, however, are not limited to this alignment procedure. Multiple alignment procedures can be provided to accommodate the experience and preference of individual surgeons. For example, the alignment procedure can be based on the anatomic and mechanical axes, or can be substantially based on the cylindrical axis. Further, the alignment procedure can be deformity-specific, such that is adapted, for example, to a valgus or varus deformity.

With continued reference to FIG. 2-5 and 7, in the image space, the tibial component 504 can be aligned 90° to the mechanical axis 401, at aspect 90. In the frontal plane, the femoral component 502 can be aligned 90° to the mechanical axis 401, at aspect 100. The femoral component 502 can be positioned for “x” mm distal resection, at 110, where “x” can be about 9 mm or as other measurement as indicated for a specific patient. The femoral component 502 can be rotated until its distal surfaces are at 90° to the distal femoral bow (component flexion/extension), at 120. The femoral component 502 can be moved anteriorly/posteriorly until the posterior medial condyle resection is greater or equal to “x” mm, at aspect 130.

The femoral component size can be determined by observing the anterior resection relative to anterior cortex, at 140. If the femoral size is adjusted, the new size can be positioned at the same location relative to the distal and posterior cut planes.

The cylindrical axis 408 of the femur can be located, at aspect 150. The tibia can be flexed 90° relative to the femur about the cylindrical axis 408, at aspect 160. The femoral component 502 can be rotated about the medial condyle until a rectangular flexion space is achieved, at aspect 170. Alternatively, the rotation can be relative to the transepicondylar axis, anterior/posterior axis, and posterior condylar axis, or a combination of all four axes. The femoral component 502 can be centered or lateralized on the femur, at aspect 180. The location for various distal holes for locating the femoral resection block can be also determined.

Referring to FIGS. 6, and 8-15B, an exemplary alignment guide 600 and method of use is illustrated in connection with the patient's femur 80. Reference numbers 200-250 relate to aspects of the method of FIG. 6 and are described in connection with the instruments shown in FIGS. 8-15B for the femur 80.

The alignment guide 600 includes an inner guide surface 640 designed to closely conform, mate and match the femoral joint surface 82 of the patient in three-dimensional space such that the alignment guide 600 and the femoral joint surface are in a nesting relationship to one another. Accordingly, the alignment guide 600 can conform, mate and snap on or “lock” onto the distal surface of the femur 80 in a unique position determined in the final surgical plan, at 200. The alignment guide 600 can have variable thickness. In general, the alignment guide 600 can be made as thin as possible while maintaining structural stiffness. For example, certain areas around and adjacent various securing or guiding apertures 602, 606 can be thickened to provide structural support for guiding a drill or for holding a drill guide or supporting other tools or devices. Exemplary thickened areas 642 are indicated with dotted lines in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Other areas can be cut out for viewing the underlying bone or cartilage of femoral joint surface 82. Viewing areas 644 are indicated with dotted lines in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

Referring to FIG. 9C, the alignment guide 600 can have an indicator feature 603 pointing to a prominent landmark 88, such as an osteophyte or other anatomic feature on the femur 80. The indicator feature 603 can be, for example, a pointed protrusion, a groove or other physical or visual mark that is to associated with the landmark 88 to provide a visual indication that the alignment guide is correctly positioned on the femur 80.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the alignment guide 600 can be secured to the femoral joint surface 82 with fixation members or fasteners 624, such as, for example, spring pins, or other securing fasteners that are received through distal apertures 602 of the alignment guide 600. Locating holes 602a corresponding to the apertures 602 of the alignment guide 600 can be drilled in the distal femur 80 to locate a femoral resection block or other cutting device 620, such as a 4-in-1 cutting block, at 220. The alignment guide 600 can also include guiding apertures 606. Guiding apertures 606 are shown in the anterior-medial side relative to the femur 80, but can also be made in the anterior side of the femur 80 or in other locations and orientations. The guiding apertures 606 can be counter-bored and have a partially open portion 608 in their perimeter for sliding the alignment guide off pins or other fasteners without removing such fasteners, as shown in FIG. 13A and discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a drill guide 700 can be placed in alignment with the guiding apertures 606. The drill guide 700 can include a body 702 having guiding bores 704 corresponding to the guiding apertures 606. The guiding bores 704 can have portions 706 that extend beyond the body 702 and into the guiding apertures 606 for facilitating alignment. The drill guide 700 can also include a handle 710 extending sideways from the body 702 and clear from the drilling path.

Referring to FIGS. 11C, guide elements 604, such as pins or other fasteners, for example, can be drilled through the guiding bores 704 of the drill guide 700 on the anterior or anterior-medial side of the femur 80, at aspect 210 of the method of FIG. 6. The guide elements 604 can be parallel or at other angles relative to another. The guide elements 604 can define a plane that is parallel to a distal resection plane for the femur.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the drill guide 700 can be removed. Referring to FIGS. 12B-13B, the fasteners 624 can be removed, and the alignment guide 600 can be removed from the femur 80 by sliding the alignment guide 600 off the guide elements 604 through the open portions 608 of the guiding apertures 606 without removing the guide elements 604 at the anterior/medial corner of the knee, at aspect 230 of FIG. 6.

The guide elements 604 can be used to prepare the joint surfaces for the prosthesis by mounting cutting guides/blocks for resecting the joint surface. Alternatively, a robotic arm or other automated, guided or computer controlled device that can guide the resections based on the pre-operative surgical plan can be mounted on the guide elements 604 and assist the surgeon in preparing the joint surface for the prosthesis.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, exemplary distal cutting blocks 610 a, 610 b that can be mounted over the guide element 604 for making the distal resection, at aspect 640 of FIG. 6, are illustrated. A third fixation element 605, obliquely oriented relative to the guide elements 604 can also be used. The distal cutting blocks 610 a, 610 b can have an inner surface 612 a, 612 b that generally follows the shape of the femur 80 to a lesser or greater degree. The distal cutting blocks 610 a, 610 b can be disposable or re-usable.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, after the distal resections are made with the distal cutting block 610 a or 610 b, the femoral resection block 620 can be mounted with pegs or other supporting elements 622 into the holes 602 a corresponding to the fasteners 624. The femoral resections can be made using, for example, a cutting blade 630 through slots 632 of the femoral resection block 620, at aspect 250 of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 16A-D, an exemplary alignment guide 600 is illustrated in connection with the patient's tibia 81. Reference numbers 260-300 relate to aspects of the method of FIG. 6 and are described in connection with the instruments shown in FIGS. 16A-16D for the tibia.

The alignment guide 600 can conform, nestingly mate in three-dimensional space and snap on or “lock” by design onto the tibia 81 in a unique position, at aspect 260 of FIG. 6. The alignment guide 600 can wrap around the anterior-medial edge of the tibia 81, as shown in FIG. 16A. The drill guide 700 can be aligned with the counter-bored guiding apertures 606 of the alignment guide 600, as shown in FIG. 16B. Two or more guide elements 604 can be placed on the anterior medial side of the tibia, at aspect 270 of FIG. 6. An additional fixation element can also be used for additional securing for the alignment guide 600. The drill guide 700 and the alignment guide 600 can be removed, leaving behind the guide elements 604 attached, at aspect 280 of FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. 16C. A disposable or reusable tibial cutting block 750 can be slid over the guide elements 604, at aspect 290 of FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. 16D. The tibial cutting block 750 can include a series of holes 752, allowing the cutting block 750 to be translated proximally or distally to adjust the level of the distal resection. The tibial resection can be made, at 300.

The present teachings provide patient-specific alignment guides that can be used for alignment in orthopedic surgery. Each alignment guide includes an inner surface that nestingly mates and conforms in three-dimensional space with a corresponding joint surface of a specific patient. The alignment guides can be used for locating guide elements on the joint surface. After the alignment guides are removed, cutting guides or other cutting devices, including automated or robotic devices, can be mounted on the guide elements for making various resection cuts. Because the alignment guides are not used for cutting, the alignment guides do not require substantive thickness to extend anteriorly, and consequently have a lower profile, and less weight. Additionally, because the alignment guides are removed before cutting, the present teachings provide increased ability to visualize the cuts and the cutting process.

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, two exemplary multiple-component implant guides 900 a, 900 b (collectively referenced with character 900) are illustrated. In these exemplary embodiments, the implant guide 900 is shown with first and second adjacent components 902 and 904, although more than two components can be similarly included in the implant guide 900. The first and second components 902, 904 can be movably and/or removably connected to one another with a coupling mechanism 920. The coupling mechanism 920 can be selected from a variety of mechanisms that provide easy intra-operative assembly. In one aspect, for example, the coupling mechanism 920 can be a snap-fit connection between the two components. In another aspect, the coupling mechanism 920 can be an interlocking mechanism, such as a key-and-tab mechanism, a dovetail mechanism, a jig-jaw puzzle interlocking mechanism, or any other interlocking mechanism. In another aspect, the coupling mechanism 920 can include a permanent or temporary hinge or other pivotable structure that allows relative motion between the adjacent components, such that one component can be rotated relative to the other component for ease of positioning on the patient. The components can be permanently pivotably coupled with the hinge or can be detachable.

Referring to FIG. 18, the exemplary implant guide 900 a can be configured for the femoral neck 84 of a proximal femur 85. The implant guide 900 a, when assembled, can wrap around the femoral neck 84 for assisting in the placement of an alignment pin 908 for femoral resurfacing. The first component 902 a can include a guiding portion or formation 906 and a portion 912 having a first three-dimensional inner bone engagement surface 913 that can anatomically match or mate with a portion of the femoral neck 84 in three dimensions. The guiding formation 906 can include a guiding bore, a hole, or other opening through which an alignment pin 908 or drill bit or other supporting device can be inserted. The second component 904 a can be coupled to the first component 902 a by the coupling mechanism 920 a. The second component 904 a include a second three-dimensional inner bone engagement surface 905 that can anatomically match and mate with substantially the remaining portion of the femoral neck 84 in three dimensions, without requiring other supports to retain the guide 900 a on the proximal femur 85. It will be appreciated that such arrangement would not be possible with a single-component implant guide.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the exemplary implant guide 900 b can be configured for encasing an osteophyte 86 or other bone growth that may be associated with osteoarthritis or other bone malformation of the distal femur 80. The first component 902 b can include a first inner bone engagement surface 907 adapted to anatomically match and conform on the osteophyte 86 in three dimensions. The second component 904 b can interlock with the first component 902 b with the coupling mechanism 920 b, and can have a second inner bone engagement surface 921 that can anatomically match or mate with another portion of the distal femur 80 in three dimensions. The second component 904b can include one or more guiding formations 906, such as, for example, cylindrical or rectangular blocks having alignment bores 930 for guiding alignment or support pins 908, drill bits, cutting blocks or other instruments and devices, including prosthetic devices. The pins 908 can be used to support the second component 904 b on the distal femur 80. The first component 902 b can be supported on the distal femur 80 by being connected with the second component 904 b with the coupling mechanism 920 b, which can be a snap-fit coupling, interlock coupling or a hinge, as discussed above. The second component 904 can include one or more viewing windows 932, as shown in FIG. 20.

It will be appreciated that other multiple-component guides can be similarly constructed for guiding and preparing other bone joints for receiving prosthetic components. Patient-specific guides can be, for example, constructed for the knee, the hip, the shoulder, etc, and can include two or more relatively movable and interconnected components. When more than two components are used, the same or different coupling mechanisms 920 can be provided along the interfaces of the adjacent components. Each of the components can match a corresponding anatomic portion in three dimensions and can be configured for surgical placement on the patient and can include a guiding formation that is related to an axis associated with the anatomic portion. Such axes can tangential or perpendicular or at other specified angle relative to the anatomic portion, such as, for example axes A and B shown in FIG. 19. The axes A and B can have, for example, specified orientations relative to various anatomic axes of the joint, such as the mechanical axis discussed above.

In another aspect, and referring to FIGS. 21-23C, a patient-specific alignment guide 1000 according to the present teachings provides optionally selectable or adjustable features that can accommodate intra-operative decisions or other changes of the surgical plan in the operating room, as discussed below. As discussed above, the alignment guide 1000 can be generally formed using computer modeling for matching a three-dimensional image of the patient's bone surface (with or without the cartilage) by known methods.

Referring to FIG. 21, the alignment guide 1000 includes an inner three-dimensional surface 1004 adapted to closely conform or match a joint surface 82 of the patient. The joint surface 82 can be a bone surface with or without soft tissue, such as articular cartilage for the knee or other joint soft tissue. The alignment guide 1000 can include an outer guiding surface 1002 adapted to receive a drill guide 1030, such as the drill guide 1030 shown in FIG. 21B, or other cutting/reaming/drilling guide instrument. The alignment guide 1000 can include an adjustment mechanism 1500, which can be used to allow deviations from the pre-operative plan during surgery. In the exemplary illustration of FIG. 21, the adjustment mechanism 1500 includes a plurality of pairs of guiding apertures 1006 that are arranged on the outer surface 1002 of the alignment guide 1000 to enable mounting of a drill guide 1030, in a plurality of orientations and/or relative to an axis A of the alignment guide.

Referring to FIGS. 21A-C, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be in the form of a single pair of bigger guiding slots or apertures 1008 that are sized and shaped such that a variety of drill guides 1030 with different drill guide geometries can be accommodated. The drill guide 1030 can include, for example, a pair of drill apertures 1032 on a face 1034 of the drill guide 1030 for receiving corresponding guide pins 1010. The pair of drill apertures 1032 can be arranged along a central axis A of the face 1034 of the drill guide 1030 defining a neutral position, or diagonally offset relative to the axis A, or parallel and offset relative to the axis A. It will be appreciated that although three exemplary arrangements are illustrated, the pair of drill apertures 1032 can be orientated at any angle or distance relative to the axis A. Certain orientations and distances can be selected based on the particular arthroplastic procedure and the corresponding anatomic or biomechanical axes.

Referring to FIGS. 22A-23C, exemplary illustrations of an adjustment mechanism 1500 that allows rotation of the drill guide 1030 relative to the alignment guide 1000 are shown. Referring to FIG. 22A, for example, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be in the form of an interior guiding cavity or aperture 1022 adapted to support a block 1040 on which the drill guide 1030 can be rotationally mounted. The drill guide 1030 can rotate relative to the block 1040 in the directions indicated by double arrow “B”. A rotational curved scale 1042 on the block 1040 can indicate the angle of rotation on the rotational plane defined by arrow B. Alternatively, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be a pivot or hinge connector to the drill guide 1030, as provided, for example, by the combination of the slot 1022 and the block 1040 shown in FIG. 22A.

Referring to FIG. 22B, the adjustment mechanism 1500 allows translational and rotational motion of the drill guide 1030 relative to the alignment guide 1000. For example, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be configured so that the block 1040 can move in a translation mode relative to the alignment guide 1000 as indicated by arrows “E”, in addition to the rotational movement in the direction of the double arrow B. Accordingly, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be any connector or feature that allows translational or rotational motion of the drill guide 1030 relative to the alignment guide 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 23A-23C, for example the block 1040 supported on the alignment guide 1000 can include a guiding aperture 1046. The drill guide 1030 can be rotationally supported in the guiding aperture 1046 such that it can rotate in two opposite directions as indicated by arrows “C” and “D”, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, relative to a neutral position shown in FIG. 23C. It will be appreciated that the rotational motion indicated by arrows C and D is on a plane orthogonal to the motion indicated by arrow B in FIGS. 22A and 22B. The drill guide 1030 can include a scale 1044 indicating the angle of rotation on the plane of rotation defined by arrows C and D. It will be appreciated that the block 1040 can be a modular or integral part of the alignment guide 1000, or a separate component.

The illustrations of the adjustment mechanism 1500 of the alignment guide 1000 are only exemplary. As described above, the adjustment mechanism 1500 can be an arrangement of pairs of guiding apertures, a pair of enlarged guiding apertures, a single guiding aperture, a cavity, a slot, a hinge, a pivot or other feature or connector that allows rotational motion in one or two orthogonal planes and/or translational motion between the alignment guide 1000 and the drill guide 1030.

It will be appreciated that the alignment guide 1000 and drill guide 1030 as described above can be constructed for various joints, including the knee, the hip, the shoulder, etc. The present teachings combine all the features of patient-specific alignment guides 1000 that can be customized and prepared in pre-operative planning and delivered with a surgical plan in time for the surgical operation with the added flexibility of accommodating intra-operative or other last minute changes to surgical plan in the operating room by using the provided adjustment mechanism to change the orientation and location of the drill guides relative the patient specific alignment guide.

According to the present teachings, and as discussed above, patient-specific alignment guides can be manufactured based on pre-operative designs developed in conjunction with pre-operative alignment techniques. The alignment techniques include determination of the mechanical axis and possibly other anatomic axes in three-dimensional imaging of the leg, as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 2-4. For example, and referring to FIG. 24, during pre-operative planning, patient image data can be captured by MRI or CT scans and a three-dimensional image of the patient's leg including the joint surfaces can be prepared, at 1150. The mechanical axis of the leg can be determined on the three-dimensional image of the leg, at 1160. It will be appreciated that other axes related to the leg or joint can be also determined on the same three-dimensional image, such as, for example various anatomic axes. Images of patient-specific alignment guides for the joint surfaces can be designed such that the alignment guides reference the mechanical axis, at 1170. The alignment guides, for example, can have a guide surface that is at known orientation to the mechanical axis when the alignment guide's patient engaging surface is fitted on the joint surface, as discussed below. Consequently, the alignment guides, when engaging the corresponding surface of the joint of the patient for whom the guides were designed, are already automatically referencing the mechanical axis and there is no need to determine the center of the femoral head or the mechanical axis intra-operatively. The physical alignment guides can then be manufactured from the image data by rapid prototyping, machining or other methods, at 1180.

Referring to FIGS. 24-28, any balancing method that requires the use of a balancing tensor device to balance the tension of the soft tissue associated with the joint can omit the time-consuming and often inaccurate procedure of determining the center of the femoral head. Rather, the soft-tissue can be balanced relative to the alignment guide, which is already referencing the mechanical axis of the patient's joint.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, an exemplary balancing procedure can include the following aspects. A patient-specific femoral alignment guide 1306 can include a femoral three-dimensional nesting surface 1320 conforming in nesting relationship with the distal femoral surface 82 of the distal femur 80 and a tibia-facing guide surface 1330 oriented at a 90-degree or other desired angle relative to the mechanical axis 401. The patient-specific femoral alignment guide 1306 can be attached to the distal femoral surface 82 at 1200, thereby aligning the distal femoral surface 82 relative to the mechanical axis 401, at a 90-degree or other desired angle. The femoral alignment guide 1306 can only be placed uniquely in a nesting, form-fitting position on the distal femoral surface 82, such that upon engagement, the distal femoral surface 82 and the guide surface 1330 are oriented at a 90-degree angle relative to the mechanical axis 401, as determined in the pre-operative plan on which the design of the femoral alignment guide 1306 was based. Similarly, a patient-specific tibial alignment guide 1308 can be attached to the proximal tibia 81 in a unique position at a 90-degree angle relative to the mechanical axis 401. Alternatively, the patient-specific tibial alignment guide 1308 can be used to cut the tibia at a 90-degree angle relative to the mechanical axis 401, at 1210.

The balancing procedure can then proceed without the need to determine the head of the femur, as the mechanical axis is already referenced correctly by the femoral alignment guide 1306. The associated soft tissues can be balanced in extension relative to the guide surface 1330 of the femoral alignment guide 1306, rather than to the mechanical axis 401, until a rectangular extension gap is achieved, at 1220. A balancing tensor 1400 can be used for soft tissue balancing, as discussed below. bThe femur 80 can be rotated to a 90-degree flexion angle, at 1230, and a posterior cut can be made at 1240. The femur 80 can be rotated back to extension at 1250, and a distal cut can be made at 1260. The chamfer and anterior cuts can be made at 1270.

An exemplary, known in the art, balancing knee tensor 1400 is illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 in flexion and extension, respectively, although other tensors can also be used. The tensor 1400 can include first and second femoral paddles 1410, a tibial sled 1420 having a T-rail 1422, a calibrated slide 1440, and a knob 1430 with a scale 1432 for controlling tension. The tibial sled 1420 can be placed on the tibial alignment guide 1308, shown in FIG. 26, and the femoral paddles 1410 can be placed under the femoral alignment guide 1306, shown in FIG. 26. Balancing can be performed by applying appropriate tension in flexion and extension by rotating the knob 1430. The sizes of flexion and extension gaps can be read on the calibrated slide 1440 and should be substantially equal.

As discussed above, the present teachings eliminate the need to determine the center of the femoral head intra-operatively, or to determine the mechanical axis, or to balance the soft tissues relative to the mechanical axis. Soft tissue balancing can be performed relative to the femoral alignment guide 1306, which is already aligned relative to the mechanical axis 401 when placed on the distal femur 80. Accordingly, the present teachings can reduce intra-operative time and simplify soft tissue balancing by eliminating the time-consuming, difficult and possibly inaccurate process of intra-operatively determining the center of the head of the femur.

Referring to FIG. 29, an exemplary patient-specific assemblage 1500 can be provided to connect multiple patient-specific alignment guides 1510, 1520 and/or other patient-associated components during the manufacture and delivery of the components. The assemblage 1500 can ensure that associated components stay together and are not misplaced or mixed up. In the illustrative example of FIG. 29, the assemblage 1500 includes a connection arm 1530 coupled to a femoral alignment guide 1510 at a first connection end 1532 and to a tibial alignment guide 1520 at a second connection end 1534. The first and second connection ends 1532, 1534 can have undercuts or other built-in weakening or frangible features, so that the connection arm 1530 can be broken off before use to separate the alignment guides 1510, 1520 from each other. In another aspect, the fungible features can be placed in additional or other locations intermediate the first and second ends. The connection arm 1530 can be a monolithic bar, which can be either substantially rigid or a flexible. In other aspects, the connection arm 1530 can include multiple interconnected linkages, and can also be a chain having multiple links, allowing disconnection at any link.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the femoral alignment guide 1510 can include various guiding portions 1512, 1514 for inserting drills, or other instruments, and fixation fasteners or pins. The tibial alignment guide 1520 can also include guiding portions 1522, and a stabilizer arm 1524 having a plate 1526 for engaging the lateral surface of the tibia when the underside 1528 of the tibial alignment guide 1520 engages the tibial plateau. The connection arm 1530 can hold the associated parts together to prevent their disassociation or misplacement during delivery. In one aspect, the connection arm 1530 can hold the associated parts in a spaced apart relationship at some distance relative to each other, such that rubbing between the parts and resulting deformation or breakage can be avoided. Further, the connection arm 1530 can be held such that the alignment guides 1510, 1520 are suspended and immovable. The connection arm can be made from various material including materials used for constructing the alignment guides or other materials including nitinol, for example. Although two alignment guides are shown coupled to the connection arm 1530, it will be appreciated that additional guides or other components can be similarly connected in one assemblage using with one or more connection arms.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present teachings. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings. 

1. An orthopedic apparatus comprising: a patient-specific alignment guide attachable to a surface of a bone being prepared for receiving a prosthetic implant, the guide comprising at least first and second components, the first component having a first three-dimensional bone engagement surface and the second component having a second three-dimensional bone engagement surface, the first and second bone engagement surfaces anatomically matching corresponding first and second portions of the surface of the bone; at least one alignment formation defined by at least one of the first and second components; and a coupling mechanism connecting the first and second components to one another.
 2. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment formation defines a guiding bore.
 3. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is a snap-fit or interlocking mechanism allowing complete separation of the first and second components.
 4. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is a hinge allowing relative rotation between the first and second components.
 5. An orthopedic apparatus comprising: a patient-specific alignment guide including: a first component having a first three dimensional surface engaging and conforming in shape to a patient's first anatomical portion in three dimensions and having an alignment formation referencing a first axis; and a second component coupled to the first component, the second component having a second three-dimensional surface engaging and conforming in shape to a second anatomical portion of the patient, the second component having an alignment formation referencing a second axis; and a coupling mechanism interconnecting the first and second components.
 6. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second components includes an indicator feature associated with a corresponding landmark anatomic feature for guiding placement of the corresponding component.
 7. The orthopedic apparatus of claim 6, wherein the anatomic feature is a protrusion extending from the corresponding component.
 8. An orthopedic apparatus comprising: a patient-specific alignment guide; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the alignment guide, the adjustment mechanism providing intra-operative rotational and translational drill guide adjustments.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism provides rotational adjustments in at least two orthogonal planes.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of pairs of guiding apertures, each pair of guiding apertures defining a different orientation and position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a pair of enlarged guiding apertures, the pair of guiding apertures adapted for supporting a drill guide in a plurality of different orientations and positions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a rotational connector for a drill guide.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rotational connector provides rotation in at least two orthogonal planes.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a combined rotational and translational connector for a drill guide.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the patient specific alignment guide has a three-dimensional surface engageable with a joint surface and a guide surface couplable with a drill guide.
 16. A method for balancing soft tissue in knee surgery, the method comprising: attaching a patient-specific alignment guide to a joint surface; tensioning the soft tissue in flexion or extension; and balancing the soft tissue relative to the patient-specific guide.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein balancing the soft tissue relative to the patient-specific guide, includes balancing without intra-operative determination of a femoral head center.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein balancing the soft tissue relative to the patient-specific guide, includes balancing without intra-operative determination of a mechanical axis of the knee.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein tensioning and balancing includes tensioning and balancing with a balancing tensor positioned proximate to the patient-specific alignment guide.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising measuring the flexion and extension gaps.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein attaching a patient-specific alignment guide to a joint surface includes nestingly mating a three-dimensional engaging surface of the alignment guide to a corresponding joint surface.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein balancing the soft tissue relative to the patient-specific guide includes balancing relative to a guide surface of the alignment guide, the guide surface having a known relationship with an anatomic axis of the joint.
 23. A patient positioner comprising: a first outer surface shaped to support a portion of a patient's anatomy in a location and orientation determined for image scanning of the portion of the patient's anatomy; and at least one marker visible in image scanning, the image marker integrated with the positioner.
 24. The positioner of claim 23, wherein the image marker is applied on a second outer surface of the positioner.
 25. The positioner of claim 23, wherein the image marker is embedded in an interior portion of the positioner.
 26. A manufacturing assemblage comprising: a first patient specific alignment guide; a second patient specific alignment guide; and a connection arm coupled to the first alignment guide at a first connection end and to the second alignment guide at a second connection end, the connection arm retaining together the first and second alignment guides, the connection arm including frangible features.
 27. The manufacturing assemblage of claim 26, wherein the connection arm includes a plurality of interconnected links.
 28. The manufacturing assemblage of claim 26, wherein the frangible features are located adjacent the first and second connection ends. 